The invention contemplates automatic cleaning of an entire toilet bowel using an electrically powered motor that simultaneously spins flexible, but rigid, circular brushes that are substantially the same length as the height of the bowl in both vertical and horizontal directions, not only around the bowl, but also along the height of the bowl, with special attention to the two parts of the bowl that collect the most rust and debris: at the “water line” and “under the rim”. The longer one waits to clean a toilet bowl, the more likely an anti-rust chemical will be required to soak the water line and under the rim for a few minutes prior to brushing; and before administering chemicals, the toilet should be flushed. Automatically flushing, releasing chemicals, and soaking before cleaning (and then repeating until all debris is removed) requires a programmable microprocessor and debris sensor(s) to truly operate automatically.
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1. A method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl using self-cleaning automatic toilet bowl cleaning system, wherein a programmable microprocessor implements upon activation automatic scheduling and operation of the self-cleaning automatic toilet bowl cleaning system to function in timed cycle steps, comprising:
flushing a toilet,
cleaning while brushes spin vertically in the forward direction along the walls of said toilet bowl,
cleaning while the brushes retract and spin horizontally in the backward direction along the walls of said toilet bowl and along the upper rim of said toilet bowl when fully retracted, and
optionally repeating any prior steps as frequently and as intermittently as desired.
2. The method of automatically cleaning a toilet bowl using the self-cleaning automatic toilet bowl cleaning system of
3. The method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl using the self-cleaning automatic toilet bowl cleaning system of
closing a toilet lid of said toilet bowl, and
opening the toilet lid after all prior steps are complete.
4. The method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl using the self-cleaning automatic toilet bowl cleaning system of
5. The method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl using the self-cleaning automatic toilet bowl cleaning system of
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/851,155, filed on Mar. 4, 2013.
The invention provides for the automatic cleaning of an entire toilet bowel using an electrically powered motor that simultaneously spins flexible, but rigid, circular brushes that are substantially the same length as the height of the bowl in both vertical and horizontal directions.
Cleaning the toilet is one of the less pleasant chores facing many homeowners. Doing a thorough job can require a certain amount of time, elbow grease, and effort. At present, there are a variety of products designed to treat the water handled by such fixtures. Although these can help reduce the frequency at which the interior of their bowls must be cleaned, their effect is limited against heavy deposits. When the washing machine was first introduced at the turn of the century, homemakers not only became more productive, they also became free of the most difficult and arduous household chore of that time. They became freer to pursue their own educations and careers, and therefore in a sense, society benefited as a whole. Today the most difficult and arduous household chore is CLEANING THE TOILET. Additionally, the number of bathrooms per household has increased over the years, especially in the ever larger mansions being built today with the number of bathrooms doubling and tripling per unit. It is not only arduous and smelly to clean the ever increasing number of toilet bowls in the world, but it is also degrading to one's soul. Mankind can do better.
Over the years, many attempts have been made to automate the toilet, some using programmable key pads and electrically controlled functions and features, while others used auto-release chemicals such as antiseptics. The first “automatic flushing toilet system” was invented by Masakazu Matsunaga of Asaka, Japan (U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,163, issued Jan. 16, 1979, hereinafter, “Matsunaga”). Matsunaga disclosed “an automatic flushing system for flushing a plurality of toilet bowls with water, which is provided with a solenoid-controlled valve and a detecting device. So long as the detecting appliance detects no toilet user, the solenoid-controlled valve is opened every time a predetermined time lapses, thereby to flush all the toilet bowls. If only one toilet user is detected, the solenoid-controlled valve is opened thereafter upon lapse of a reference time shorter than the predetermined time, thereby to flush the toilet bowls. If two or more toilet users are detected, the solenoid-controlled valve is opened thereafter upon lapse of a time shorter than the reference time, the time being shorter by a predetermined length for each additional toilet user detected.” Martin J. Layerty, Jr. of Earlysville, Va. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,588, issued Dec. 27, 1988, hereinafter, “Layerty”) is the earliest reference to a fully automatic flush toilet with a sensor. Layerty disclosed an “invention [that] relates to flush valves in which an external operating handle is eliminated. An electronic sensor, solenoid valve and a solenoid contained within a single unit to operate a flush valve are provided which is either built into the flush valve or can be retrofitted to a conventional flush valve with an external operating handle. The solenoid valve can also be controlled by external means separate and apart from the infra-red sensor mechanism.” Layerty controlled his “sensor operated flush valve” by the magnetization of a coil. Actuation of the coil for a pre-set period of time is caused by a timer which is started by a signal coming from the infrared sensor implanted in small round holes in a cap. The infrared sensor could sense if the toilet had been used and sent a signal after a preset period of time so as to electrify the coil. On May 3, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,524 was issued to Bennie N. Veal (hereinafter, “Veal”) which included an “automatic toilet seat device which will cause a toilet seat to be either raised or lowered” under the control of a micro-processor controlled first switch that activates an electric motor to raise the toilet seat and “a float switch associated with a tank of the toilet” which activates the motor to lower the toilet seat after the toilet has been flushed. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,105 was issued to Leo K. Womack on Jan. 15, 1980 that introduced the automatic infusion into a toilet bowl of chemicals “admixed with water” to “clean, disinfect, and deodorize” the bowl.
With all the sophisticated automation and advanced technical features of the prior art toilet bowl cleaning systems, one must ask, “what is that manual toilet bowl cleaning brush doing next to almost every toilet in almost every home?” The world is well aware of the automatic flushing toilets like Matsunaga and Layerty, which employed automatic sensors that sense humans and/or toilet bowl debris alike to automatically flush toilets in conjunction with timers, etc. It is also well known in the art that electric motors under the control of micro-processors can be used to raise and lower toilet seats either before or after flushing, etc. (Veal). Furthermore, automatic infusion into toilet bowls with chemicals is also well known. (Womack) So with all this automation, why do humans continue to use brushes manually controlled by humans to actually wash in inner rim and vertical wall of toilet bowls, worldwide?
A need now exists to eliminate the manual toilet bowl cleaning brush and to replace it with an improved, low maintenance, apparatus and method for the automatic cleaning of an entire toilet bowel using an electrically powered motor that simultaneously spins flexible, but rigid, circular brushes that are substantially the same length as the height of the bowl in both vertical and horizontal directions; not only around the bowl, but also along the height of the bowl, with special attention on the two parts of the bowl that collect the most calcium, lime, rust and debris: at the “water line” and “under the rim”. Many times, the longer one waits to clean a toilet bowl, the more likely an anti-calcium, lime and/or rust (hereinafter just “rust”) chemicals will be required to soak the water line and under the rim first, for a few minutes, before cleaning the bowl rigorously with a brush. Otherwise, even the use of manual brushes can be ineffective. Therefore, the automatic introduction of anti-rust chemicals for timed soaking before cleaning is also needed to achieve full automation of the task of cleaning a toilet bowl.
This invention can be implemented using a modified toilet design, or a new toilet seat design. Either implementation would differ from conventional units through the incorporation of a set of motor-driven brushes that could automatically clean the interior of the bowl, can optionally be microprocessor-controlled. The simplest use of the invention would require an individual to merely add a suitable rust cleaner to the bowl. Wait a few minutes, and then activate the system. Once it finished, the brushes would automatically stop and retract back into their stowed positions.
One embodiment of the invention provides for the automatic cleaning of an entire toilet bowel using an electrically powered motor that simultaneously spins flexible, but rigid, circular brushes that are substantially the same length as the height of the bowl in both vertical and horizontal directions, not only around the bowl, but also along the height of the bowl, with special attention to the two parts of the bowl that collect the most rust and debris: at the “water line” and “under the rim”. Many times, the longer one waits to clean a toilet, the more likely an anti-rust chemical will be required to soak the water line and under the rim for a few minutes prior to brushing. Further, before one administers the chemicals, the toilet should be flushed to eliminate any residual debris. Automatically flushing the toilet, and the release of anti-rust chemicals just prior to cleaning, waiting for several minutes, and then controlling both backward and forward spinning of a motor with its' shaft turning a brush rotation mechanism, requires a programmable microprocessor to truly operate automatically. There are fundamentally several embodiments of the invention that vary from the simplest embodiment where a microprocessor is not required, and where pre-flushing and/or introduction of chemicals into the bowl may be done manually, to a more advanced embodiment that may require the user to press an appropriate button to perform any particular brushing cycle in a forward or backward direction for the time duration desired, for example. Further, one can contemplate many alternative advanced embodiments optionally incorporating use of a hot water source, for example; or placing the rotation means within the toilet seat itself, rather than built into the rim of the bowl. Other contemplated embodiments may capitalize on new technologies such as “wireless power” between a programmable display device situated on top of the toilet lid that controls electric motors and valves, wirelessly. One embodiment of the invention contemplates a wireless power source at an AC outlet in a bathroom, and a wireless receiver located under or behind the toilet bowl, including a wireless keypad fixidly attached to the lid of the tank, that wirelessly controls a motor to automatically flush the toilet; a wireless mechanism to automatically release anti-rust chemicals on one schedule and optionally release anti-septic chemicals on another schedule; and another motor, powered wirelessly or not, that turns and rotates cleaning brushes that circumnavigates the toilet bowl.
One embodiment is a modified residential, tank-style toilet. As with conventional units, it would be produced of vitreous china and would utilize a two-piece, separate tank and bowl configuration. It would differ from the prior art by the incorporation of a self-cleaning system in the form of a pair of rotating brushes. These would be mounted on tracks on the upper inside edge of the bowl and would be able to move around the bowl when actuated. The unit would be linked to a micro-processor control and display that could also retract the units when not in use.
The invention must meet with the specifications set forth by the National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC) and a variety of local building codes, and could require a password to operate for safety. In addition, since it would involve electrical wiring and circuitry, it is likely that approval would have to be obtained from Underwriters Laboratories (UL). UL approval involves the testing of prototype and/or production units primarily as relates to fire safety.
As with conventional fixtures of this nature, one embodiment could be produced of cast, glazed, and fired vitreous china, or of cast iron or stainless steal for increased strength, particularly around the rim holding the brush rotation mechanism. In order to provide the clearance for the tracks and space for the unit's control system, recesses may have to be cast into the bowl and tank. The ball cock, trip lever, flapper valve, overflow tube, and related items could all be standard components. Any type of flushing apparatus is contemplated, whether it be gravity based or water pressure based. The cleaning system could employ replaceable polyester or nylon bristle-based, twisted stainless steel wire brushes that could be mounted in arbors on the output shafts of a pair of small, electrically operated motors or on wheels or ball bearings that rotate the brushes. The tracks, guides, ball bearings, and brush mounting elements could be made of cast and machined stainless steel. The latter could be equipped with small rollers. They could potentially employ a rubber tire, belt or chain-based drive system linked to additional motors at the rear end of the bowl. Limit switches and related hardware could be standard items. The unit could employ standard integrated circuit chips, resistors, push-button elements, and related components for its control circuit. These could be contained within a sealed plastic housing.
The many objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the invention and its various embodiments are reviewed in accompaniment with the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout. The previously described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages. Although the present invention will be described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other alternative embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments, nor the alternative embodiments, contained herein.
At least one electrical switch (not shown) configured to relay power from said power supply 30 for control of said motor 100 can be used and programmed by a programmable input/output display 35 using a micro-processor (not shown) that can be programmed to discern whether a prior flushing, chemical soak, and scrubbing cycle actually removed the debris sensed by the sensors 50, and decide whether to flush, soak, and scrub again. A predetermined number of cycles that does not remove the debris could cause the programmable input/output display 35 to flash a notice that operation has been stopped, indicating either that the brushes need adjusting or replacing, that the user is out of chemicals, or other such alert.
The automatic toilet bowl cleaning system does not require the use of ball bearings 2 as the rotation means (
Another embodiment of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system contemplates an inside under cover of said upper rim 20 of said toilet bowel 40, rigidly affixed to said inner track 13, thus rigidly holding in place said inner track 13 and thus said outer track 12 by ball bearings 2 connecting between said inner track 13 and said outer track 12, spanning the entire circumference of said upper rim 20, allowing said outer track 13 to spin freely within said rim 20 of said toilet bowl 40 while engaged by a tire brush rotation mechanism 15
The automatic toilet bowl cleaning system further contemplates at least one electrical switch including current detection means for detecting over-current in the reversible motor 100, the second motor 21 and/or the third motor 31, said current detection means detecting over-current in any motor when movement of said at least one brush 10 is impeded such that the control circuit means deactivates any of said motors. This is also well known in the art.
The automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 further contemplates a programmable input/output display 35 connected to said at least one electrical switch (not shown) controlled by a microprocessor (not shown) to enable human programming of the schedule and automatic operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5. It is also contemplated that the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 motors (100, 21 and 31) are configured within waterproof housings. For example, said ball bearings 2 can be substantially enclosed within a waterproof housing within said rim 20, and said inner track 13 of said ball bearings 2 is configured with a grease nipple 41 (
Operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 contemplates said microprocessor (not shown) further comprising a timer (not shown) controlled by said microprocessor for the automatic scheduling and operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 to function in timed cycles comprising:
a close lid cycle,
at least one automatic flushing cycle,
at least one optional sensing cycle,
at least one chemical release cycle,
at least one cleaning cycle while brushes spin vertically in the forward direction,
at least one cleaning cycle while brushes retract and spin horizontally in the backward direction, and
an open lid cycle.
It is contemplated that each removable retractable brush 10 can be removably connected directly to a single ball of a ball bearing 2 (
The less automated method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl 40 using an automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5, wherein a programmable input/output display implements human activated automatic scheduling and operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system to function in timed cycle steps, could comprise the steps of:
manually flushing the toilet,
automatically cleaning while brushes 10 spin vertically in the forward direction along the walls of said toilet bowl 40,
cleaning while brushes 10 retract and spin horizontally in the backward direction along the walls of said toilet bowl 40 and along the upper rim 20 of said toilet bowl 40 when fully retracted, and
optionally repeating any previous steps as frequently and as intermittently as desired.
A bit more automation contemplates using a programmable input/output display 35 to control a microprocessor (not shown) to implement human activated automatic scheduling and operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 to function in timed cycle steps, further comprising the steps of:
closing a toilet lid 32 and toilet seat 70 of said toilet bowl 40 before cleaning, and
opening the toilet lid 32 after all prior soaking and cleaning steps complete.
The method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl 40 using an automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 further contemplates using a programmable microprocessor display which implements human activated automatic scheduling and operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system to function in timed cycle steps, further comprising the step of automatically releasing chemicals into said toilet bowl 40 and waiting a time period for soaking intermittently between any prior step.
The method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl 40 using an automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 further contemplates using a programmable microprocessor display to implement human activated automatic scheduling and operation of the automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 to function in timed cycle steps, further comprising the step of automatically detecting debris which trigger the release of chemicals into said toilet bowl 40 for a pre-defined time period for soaking intermittently between any prior step.
The least automated method for automatically cleaning a toilet bowl 40 using an automatic toilet bowl cleaning system 5 further contemplates using at least one on/off switch (not shown) on a panel display 35 (“panel display” and “programmable input/output display are used interchangeable herein) which implements human activated automatic cleaning of a toilet bowl 40 in pre-programmed timed cycle steps, comprising the steps of cleaning while brushes 10 spin vertically in the forward direction along the walls of said toilet bowl 40, and cleaning while brushes 10 retract and spin horizontally in the backward direction along the walls of said toilet bowl 40 and along the upper rim 20 of said toilet bowl when fully retracted.
The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and the scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims. Most prior art structure disclosed in the application that incorporates certain features in combination with applicant's invention is not depicted, but rather one skilled in the art should include that structure by reference to the prior art patents described herein for a more detailed description.
Qualls, Prince Demond, Jones, April Renea
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